Met Office issues UK thunderstorm warning for TODAY before weather 'shift'

The Met Office has issued a thunderstorm warning for today with heavy showers forecast before a 'shift' in the weather.

The yellow thunderstorm warning will come into force at 11am this morning (Tuesday). It will last until 9pm tonight.

Parts of Greater Manchester, including Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside and the city centre, are covered by the yellow warning. It also covers much of the north of England and parts of the Midlands.

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The Met Office says that between 11am and 9pm in these areas, 'heavy showers and thunderstorms may lead to some disruption to travel'. Driving conditions may be affected in heavy downpours and delays to train services are possible.

It added that 'short term loss of power is possible' and there is a chance of some damage to a 'few buildings' due to lightning strikes. In our region, rain is most likely to fall from around 7pm this evening.

Before then, largely cloudy weather is forecast. The warning comes ahead of a predicted 'shift' in the weather conditions across the UK.

Forecasters predict that from Wednesday, it will start to warm up across the country after a dreary start to June. Temperatures will start to rise to around average or above average for this time of year.

In Greater Manchester, highs of around 21C are forecast on Thursday and Friday. It is likely to feel 'very warm' during sunny intervals.

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